5.0 out of 5 stars This Neutron has star quality - great synth that's affordable for beginners

T.B.F. · 15 August 2020

Have you got £300 burning a hole in your pocket and an unquenchable thirst for yet more synthesizers? Are you agonising over the boutique, hand-built quality you can't afford, or the low-cost digital recreations of the same old ideas?Step this way - 'cause this synth is, unusually for Behringer, a pretty original concept that's been done rather well.If you're wondering what genre or style of music it's appropriate for - all of 'em. Wendy Carlos did classical on synths like this, they're in everything from prog rock to drill/rap; it has no restrictions (no instrument does - but because you're putting the music in, and it's just making the sound you created, it's very open-ended unlike a box of presets and samples).TBH, you don't even need to read the rest of this review. It's a brilliant analogue synth at low cost.Behringer's synth designs are better known as clones of classics, and it's not wholly original - there are only so many ways you can make a patchable analogue two-oscillator synth with this type of filter and these oscillators - but it has its own look and its own sound, and is really rather good; a lot of that is down to opening up the features as much as possible - all waveforms are available,for example, no artificial limits for the sake of marketing a 'higher-end' version.It's a top choice for introducing older kids to analogue synthesis, or adding some analogue joy to your existing setup. You will need a controller though - I recommend the Arturia Keystep Pro because it's very easy to use, but also offers lots of control-voltage (CV) connectivity effectively providing an animation sequencer as well as notes.Other modular solutions are available!Pros - for beginners:* Low-cost for the power you get* Really straightforward - with a couple of caveats* Instant results every time* Hugely popular - loads of tutorial videos, how-tos, patches, hacks and advice out therePros - for pros:* Super-beefy dual-VCO sound with genuinely usable delay and fun overdrive section (can be bypassed)* So cheap you can consider building polychained monsters* Great connectivity, modular-friendly design, including audio patching* Doesn't take up much space, has proper connectors - no 3.5mm nonsense here except on the patchbay* Genuinely different sound engine in some regards, due to blending/routing. A real bargain compared to anything with similar features* Paraphonic mode, and flexible retriggering (but needs the utility to change)Cons:* The tuning knobs are super-sensitive and super-light to touch, even in standard ranges* Can be glitchy sometimes - firmware process/calibration isn't the best, but it's still more than most bare-bones analogues offer* For beginners, there's no patch storage, sequencer or anything. so you need to note down the cool stuff you've created! Pro's need to as well, but it becomes habit - there's nothing more frustrating than making a nice sound then forgetting what you did* You're about to learn a lot about gain-staging and considering your pre-amp part of the whole sound-creation process - but this thing can whisper or wail to great effect* That front panel might be original, but it's also pretty hard to read. You may want an aftermarket oneWhat do I love about it - and some context.This is my first Behringer synth, and it's taken a long time and a lot of 'wanting' to get there - since the mid '90s I've owned a ridiculous variety of synths, and very few of them gel; I bought this primarily to explore the CV control possibilities of the Keystep Pro as I already have a Circuit Mono Station for analogue realness.They couldn't be more different, though. The Neutron's old-school design really shines through, with serious punch at times even without the overdrive. It's got so much instant character that I've been distracted from my other synths every time I start playing with it. It can do basses, synth pianos, sci-fi noises, leads, clever tricks and amazing, evolving drones - with the aid of a CV sequencer you can really take it up a notch, too, animating filter and waveform for some insane, subtle and not-so subtle noises. The filter doesn't so much self-oscillate as self-immolate, the resonance is so hot - and you can run the LFO at audio frequencies.Even with the experience I've had of different synths, the Neutron's 'drive' section caught me out - so while this is a super affordable, super-flexible synth that is a great investment for your kids if they're interested in electronic music, it does have more of a learning curve than say, an MS-1, Circuit or BassStation.The patchbay might look intimidating, but as a first synth you can just ignore it - everything is pre-routed and already very flexible. This is about as good as it gets for self-contained, cheap, patchable without random limitations and affordable - and it's very musically useful, far from a disposable toy.As the first Behringer synth I've bought, I really couldn't be happier with it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Synth for Everyone

A. · 25 December 2022

I love the Behringer Neutron, it has been a solid device and capable of such variety.The huge patch bay allows for almost every feature to be rerouted at will to completely transform it's default sonic range. Unlike many other Behringer synths, the Neutron does not use the Synthtribe app...trust me, this is a good thing. The Neutron's firmware can be upgraded using standard DFU updates (this is not the case for other Behringer synths, and is one of the reasons I sold my Craves). Definitely update the firmware when you get it, just the smooth oscillator and LFO shape blending alone is worth the upgrade.Another excellent feature is the linear polychain of multiple units. Have two or more? You can play them in predictable polyphony mode. Unlike the Crave, which uses a round-robin cycle through the devices. Sounds confusing, but really, the Neutron's linear poly-chain behaviour is so much better.I have two of them now, and I've just ordered a third...and plan for a forth in the near future :)

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to find out if modular might be for you, without going all in and breaking the bank.

M.C. · 6 April 2021

My first impressions on unboxing were, and remain, that this is easily the most beautiful bit of kit that i own. The photos don't quite get across the finish on this. But what does it sound like? Well, if you want a basic, easy to use synth, then this probably is not for you. For one thing, this has no keyboard or internal sequencer abilities. So you will need to already have some other bit of kit that can trigger the sounds in this..But assuming that you already have those, or are also buying them along with this, then this is definitely a lot of fun. And i have (accidentally) gotten some great sounds out of it. But the moment you change any setting or move any dial then you will never exactly recreate that sound again. But that's kind of the point. Great as computers and DAWs can be, they do often leave us with option paralysis. But then with this, whatever sound you are getting at any one time is what you are getting, until you change something, and then it's gone and that's it..But the another thing about this (something great in my opinion), is that while it is all set up to already sound good, there is also a patch bay to one side where you can start to experiment with different modular-style connections. You don't have to, it's a bonus option..I had been wondering for a while if modular synths are something that i wanted to start investing time, money, and energy in to. And this synth was an entirely pleasant way for me to find out that no, modular is not for me. But at the same time i will be keeping this, permanently. This is great in itself. But it has also saved me a fortune and a lot of headaches in finding out that modular isn't all as fun as people on YouTube often make it look..But i would still recommend this beast to anyone, even if it were two, or possibly even three times the price. The bass that this can make will probably get you evicted. At very least you might end up shopping for new speakers soon, just because of this.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Synth for the Price

T.D. · 9 May 2022

Not sure why but this is listed as the Behringer Airplay Guitar. This is actually the Behringer Neutron Synthesizer. I’ve been really impressed with this synth so far. The VCO’s sound amazing with a lot of different shapes you can blend between. Loads of modulation and routing options it really is a lot of fun to use. It works with Eurorack as well so if your wanting to get into that then this gives you a great starting point with a massive amount of ins and outs. For the money there just isn’t anything like it on the market. If your in the market for a synth or are considering this then just buy it it’s that good!

4.0 out of 5 stars Just buy new

J.H. · 9 May 2021

Bought the Neutron - it's a shame the paraphonic mode just did not work. Would be an easy 5 star otherwise, as the synth itself was amazing. Near endless potential sounds. For the price, unparalleled.

Semi-modular swiss army knife

d. · 11 April 2022

This piece of hardware is a dream. This is my 2nd semi-modular, 3rd overall synth. I haven't yet learned how to do even a quarter of what is is capable of but already the gentle generative FM ambient and beep-boop wobble storms I've created are mind-blowing.Works really well with my other synths. This thing really fills a wide niche and even though I have my sights set on getting a eurorack module at some point, I this my needs will be taken care of by the Neutron for months. I love this machine, what more can I say?If you are itching to getting a taste of what a full modular rack rack can do for the price of one module, look no further.

Gateway into eurorack

H.V. · 21 February 2025

The neutron is perhaps one of Behringers most unique synths. It offers a lot of utility functions that are patchable with other modules through the patchbay, which make it a great starting point for building a larger modular system. On its own it is a nice platform for experimentation. The synth leans slightly towards harsher and more metallic sounds, mostly due to the character of the delay and overdrive. If you are at all curious about eurorack, this is the best place to get your feet wet.

面白い

水. · 12 June 2023

Pro-1と一緒に購入。Pro-1が「普通」であるのに対しこちらは結構アグレッシブ。音はデフォルトでオーバードライブを通る様になっていてこの時点でキャラがつく。パッチングによるモジュレーションのかかり方も独特。ユニークな音がとても気に入った。

Wife divorced me

s.s. · 31 January 2020

My wife divorced me as the bass from the synth weakened the foundation of my home. I anyway dont spend time with her anymore and so i dont see it as a loss. If anybody’s interested in a rave do get in touch.

Behringer creates classic sounds

M. · 28 September 2022

Behringer Neutron Paraphonic Analogue and Semi-Modular Synthesizer: great price point, positive friendly operation, will be enjoyed for years to come.